10.0.2 and search providers
not true, sorry, you are overcomplicating it, because it's really simple and efficient.
it took me 15 minutes to create the package and edit my prefs in mozilla.cfg, so t gets deployed over GPO to all workstation in domain. also for specific groups of users (departments) we use administrative templates applied to each of those OU in AD with different custom settings ... try doing that with an admin install point easily ...
thanks for advice, I never include profiles with MSI packages. everything works on all desktops in our domain, just fine. I'm not here to argue, I'm just saying that once one learns how to create an MSI (even the simplest one using a free tool), it takes really little time and works flawlessly later on.
it took me 15 minutes to create the package and edit my prefs in mozilla.cfg, so t gets deployed over GPO to all workstation in domain. also for specific groups of users (departments) we use administrative templates applied to each of those OU in AD with different custom settings ... try doing that with an admin install point easily ...
thanks for advice, I never include profiles with MSI packages. everything works on all desktops in our domain, just fine. I'm not here to argue, I'm just saying that once one learns how to create an MSI (even the simplest one using a free tool), it takes really little time and works flawlessly later on.
Re: 10.0.2 and search providers
But I'm not overcomplicating it, you took more time. It takes 5 minutes, tops, to create an administrative install point and edit the text file. It should have taken you far more than 15 minutes to test your GPO across all the test systems in all the departments, which I surely hope you have done and didn't just wing it.
I can do everything you're doing now with an administrative install point and GPOs because FMFCE supports GP completely, down to configuring almost everything available in about:config. As I already explained, I can not only change those settings, but I can lock them enabled or disabled with preconfigured information all through GPO. As I'm able to make those changes through GP, I can make different policies for different OUs and have them applied as selectively as is needed.
I know how to make MSIs, the problem with free tools is they have limitations on what they can do, and once you bump into those limitations you'll come to appreciate the hard work that others have done in creating MSIs for you using non-free tools.
I can do everything you're doing now with an administrative install point and GPOs because FMFCE supports GP completely, down to configuring almost everything available in about:config. As I already explained, I can not only change those settings, but I can lock them enabled or disabled with preconfigured information all through GPO. As I'm able to make those changes through GP, I can make different policies for different OUs and have them applied as selectively as is needed.
I know how to make MSIs, the problem with free tools is they have limitations on what they can do, and once you bump into those limitations you'll come to appreciate the hard work that others have done in creating MSIs for you using non-free tools.
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Re: 10.0.2 and search providers
Sorry to dredge this back up, it seems like a heated issue.
We do not deploy FrontMotion through GPO, we do manual installs (this is easier than it sounds due to Citrix PVS). Is there any way to reset the Google search now that all 120 users have this info in their profiles?
We do not deploy FrontMotion through GPO, we do manual installs (this is easier than it sounds due to Citrix PVS). Is there any way to reset the Google search now that all 120 users have this info in their profiles?
Re: 10.0.2 and search providers
Yes sir there is. As far as my understanding goes you need to replace the google.xml file in %INSTALLDIR%\searchplugins with the original Mozilla version (or the "just delete the partner-line" fix as described somewhere in this thread - I used the original one) and then delete the search.json in every users Firefox profile that is located under %APPDATA%\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\[random].default\search.json - or delete the whole Firefox profile.caustic386 wrote:Sorry to dredge this back up, it seems like a heated issue.
We do not deploy FrontMotion through GPO, we do manual installs (this is easier than it sounds due to Citrix PVS). Is there any way to reset the Google search now that all 120 users have this info in their profiles?
Only replacing the .xml-file or just deleting search.json doesn't do the trick, you have to do both steps.
I decided to just delete the search.json for my 25 testing users that received the version with that 'little' change rather then deleting their whole profile and was able to establish this with the following login script (run in user context for sure). You should also be able to run login-scripts in Citrix environment...
Code: Select all
@echo off
cd "%APPDATA%\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles"
if exist "fixed_search_json.txt" goto :exit
for /F "usebackq" %%i in (`dir /a:d /b`) do @cd %%i
del search.json /s /q
cd "%APPDATA%\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles"
echo "done" > fixed_search_json.txt
:exit
exit
The original google.xml was deployed via startup-script (and robocopy) for the existing problems and was put into the MSI for future installations.
There may be solutions that are more "beautiful", but the fast, reliable and working result is what counts for me - and this was working fine.
Good luck.
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Re: 10.0.2 and search providers
Thank you for this. Just last night I figured out that I could reinstall using an admin point with the modified .xml, and that seemed to overwrite the "bad" install.
I appreciate your input, and I will certainly keep this in mind for the next update!
I appreciate your input, and I will certainly keep this in mind for the next update!
Re: 10.0.2 and search providers
Is there a guide/instructions on how to setup the admin install point?
Do I still use /Computer Configuration/Policies/Software Settings/Software installation/ ?
Do I still use /Computer Configuration/Policies/Software Settings/Software installation/ ?
Re: 10.0.2 and search providers
I see three of these <param partner-pub lines in the google.xml file. Should I remove all of them?DraconPern wrote:sure can. You can do an admin install point and change firefox\searchplugins\google.xml to not submit the cx value. Just remove that <param line with the partner-pub id.
Thanks!
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Re: 10.0.2 and search providers
I only removed the ones that pertain to the Google search (I believe they said something like vendor-id), that worked well for me.srechtman wrote: I see three of these <param partner-pub lines in the google.xml file. Should I remove all of them?
Thanks!
Re: 10.0.2 and search providers
I have to agree that this stinks. I deploy FireFox to 26,000+ computers with SCCM and a single .msi file. The Google Custom search looks like total junk. If this continues, I will not be using Frontmotion anymore.
Re: 10.0.2 and search providers
Firstly it's annoying. True that it can be patched with administrative install.
Secondly the sideeffect is that unpacking into administrative install point makes deployments over slow links extremely slow as it needs to fetch tons of small files (~2000). Using Active Directory to deploy there is no option to precache files.
Secondly the sideeffect is that unpacking into administrative install point makes deployments over slow links extremely slow as it needs to fetch tons of small files (~2000). Using Active Directory to deploy there is no option to precache files.
Re: 10.0.2 and search providers
I would certainly be willing to pay some amount of money for a version of the Firefox 10 ESR Community Edition (we need the group policy managability) that does not have the search provider set, so that we don't have to edit this with each deployment. Your work is well appreciated and you provide a valuable service. And we'd love to reimburse you for your effort. Thanks.
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Re: 10.0.2 and search providers
I second the motion.CybrFyre wrote:I would certainly be willing to pay some amount of money for a version of the Firefox 10 ESR Community Edition (we need the group policy managability) that does not have the search provider set, so that we don't have to edit this with each deployment. Your work is well appreciated and you provide a valuable service. And we'd love to reimburse you for your effort. Thanks.
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Re: 10.0.2 and search providers
The online packager no longer modifies the search providers!
FrontMotion Lead Developer
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Re: 10.0.2 and search providers
Thank you - donation sent. (see, we weren't lying!)DraconPern wrote:The online packager no longer modifies the search providers!
Re: 10.0.2 and search providers
The packaging service is only available to those who've bought a subscription to it.caustic386 wrote:donation